More Than 100 Animals Rescued From Home In Brookline
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- A local animal shelter is bursting at the seams after receiving nearly 200 animals that were removed from a home in Brookline on Tuesday afternoon.
Dan Rossi, executive director of the Animal Rescue League in Pittsburgh's East End, says it could be their largest intake of animals ever, and now, they're asking for the public's help.
The number of birds alone is overwhelming at 149. They're being housed for the time being in the garage and various other spots at the shelter.
"Very overwhelming for us," said Rossi. "We don't have the capacity. We don't have the equipment. We don't have the supplies to deal with this many animals at one time."
Rossi showed KDKA the cages of ferrets in the hallway.
"So here are some of the ferrets. Again, we have animals sitting in halls that really should not be in halls," he said.
There are 14 ferrets, several cats, seven dogs, one bearded dragon, two geckos and a turtle. In all, close to 200 animals removed from the home.
Barbara Yogmas was in tears as she was placed in a police car. Both she and her mother, Barbara Tourey, were lead away by the police. It all started when sheriff's deputies showed up to serve an eviction notice.
Yogmas told reporters that they had helped many of the animals.
"A lot of them were in real bad shape when we brought them back to health," said Yogmas.
However, she also admitted that the situation was out of control.
"There's not all this help out there that you think," she said.
Rossi says despite alleged deplorable conditions, many of the animals seem to be in good shape.
The animals will be assessed and foster homes are needed, before they can all be adopted.
The Rescue League is asking for immediate help.
"We need clean cages, so anyone who would have clean cages out there. We also need supplies, newspapers, bird food," said Rossi.
He says they also need money if you'd like to donate.
The Animal Rescue League and the Western Pa. Humane Society are merging, so some of the animals will go to the North Side facility.
Meanwhile, Yogmas is charged with cruelty to animals and also endangering the welfare of a child. A 12-year-old boy lived with them in the home.
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